'hard Luck Stories' Turned Into Success By Swifts

"European shot for Dungannon, scoring a extremity successful an Irish Cup last and winning nan first ever Irish Cup for nan nine is thing to constitute successful history."

John McGovern perfectly summarised a glorious time for him and Dungannon Swifts successful nan Irish Cup final.

The onslaught netted nan opener successful nan last for nan Swifts, who played a ample portion of nan crippled pinch 10 men, holding their nervus to unafraid a 4-3 punishment shootout triumph aft a 1-1 tie aft other time.

That consequence not only brings a maiden Irish Cup triumph but besides European shot to travel pinch nan Swifts entering nan Uefa Conference League astatine nan 2nd qualifying information stage.

Rodney McAree's broadside person so written their names into nan Swifts' history books and wherever you look crossed this well-assembled Dungannon side, location are difficult luck turned occurrence stories everywhere.

McGovern, for example, was a striker who struggled for consistency and injuries during his clip astatine Newry City but has been a revelation since arriving astatine nan Swifts past summer.

Namechecked by Northern Ireland leader Michael O'Neill arsenic a subordinate of potential, he has been linked pinch a big of full-time clubs but declined to speak astir his early aft nan final, alternatively choosing to savour nan momentous occasion.

"I'm perfectly buzzing. Coming into this group had america arsenic underdogs but to spell retired and put successful nan capacity we did, particularly going down to 10 men, shows nan characters successful our dressing room," he said.

"We've been unbelievable, and I cognize finishing 4th is simply a awesome accomplishment but putting an Irish Cup connected nan array pinch nan convention run we had was nan cherry connected top."

There is besides goalkeeper Declan Dunne, nan leader successful nan shootout who saved Shea Kearney and Luke Conlan's penalties to triumph nan Irish Cup.

He was playing successful nan Swifts' promotion/relegation play-off triumph against Annagh United conscionable 2 years agone and knows they must bask nan bully times arsenic location person been "bad times" arsenic well.

The stopper was judge that nan Swifts were going to triumph nan trophy erstwhile nan crippled went to spot-kicks and he was vindicated arsenic they scored each 4 of their penalties.

"When we person nan boys that we did going up to deed penalties, we practiced them connected Thursday successful training and you knew they were going to score, we person assurance oozing retired of nan team," he added.

"When you prevention it, you person to bask it. I fancied myself to prevention 2 astatine slightest truthful I'm happy."

Then location is man-of-the-match Gael Bigirimana, who scored his punishment successful nan shootout triumph aft clearing an Eric McWoods chance disconnected nan statement successful other time.

The midfielder played successful nan Premier League pinch Newcastle earlier yet coming to nan Irish Premiership.

After an unhappy spell astatine Glentoran, he has recovered a location astatine Dungannon and has been a standout subordinate this season.

"For maine it is truthful special, we played Cliftonville and a fewer months agone and I said to nan boys 'I consciousness for illustration we are going to do thing special' and Cliftonville hit america 4-1 truthful I thought possibly not!" he joked.

"The boys person been magnificent, I'm speechless but I'm complete nan moon."

Finally, location is Andrew Mitchell, who nether McAree, has returned to nan Swifts pinch renewed vigour and has formed a awesome business pinch McGovern up beforehand aft almost stepping distant from nan crippled earlier going backmost to Stangmore Park.

"I was very affectional aft nan game, 18 months agone I wasn't going to play again, I was retiring, and I'm conscionable gladsome I person had nan chance to travel backmost again and it's awesome for everyone astatine nan club," he explained.

"I'm truthful gladsome we person been capable to present for nan group of Dungannon and particularly Rodney and Dixie [Robinson], bully group who person trusted maine to travel back."

Mitchell reserved typical praise for McAree, who has knitted nan squad of knowledgeable pros and young, quiet players together to specified bully effect.

In doing so, he mentioned different successful Danny Wallace who has been transformed since swapping Glenavon for nan Swifts.

"Rodney is nan champion head successful nan convention nary question, he instils belief successful each azygous 1 of america going retired each crippled that we are nan champion players successful our positions.

"He has signed truthful well, Danny Wallace has done truthful well, personification who was treated really poorly and I emotion to spot group turning astir their careers and proving different group wrong."

Something which truthful galore successful this Dungannon Swifts squad person done and they now person an Irish Cup to show for it.